Gillingham manager Mark Bonner speaks about his former club Southend United’s takeover after pre-season friendly

Gillingham boss Mark Bonner ended his return to former club Southend United on Saturday with a message of support after their successful takeover.

The National League side - who were beaten 3-1 by the Gills on Saturday - had been in real danger of going under before a consortium led by Australian businessman Justin Rees completed a recent takeover.

Bonner moved to Southend United in 2005 to work in their academy and moved up the ladder there before returning to his old club Cambridge United in 2011.

That time at Southend was an important one for Bonner and he’s glad to see the club are now back on the up.

Bonner said: “I think any time you have worked anywhere you have real fond memories of your time in a club.

“The place has got massive potential and really it shouldn’t be in the league that it’s in.

“I spent six and a half years in the academy and saw the club in League 2, 1 and the Championship and they sold 3,500 season tickets in 72 hours the other day when they came on sale.

“It is a massive club in the league but I have been at another club (Cambridge United) that was in the National League for 11 years and it is a really tough league to get out of.

“I wish them well for the season, brilliant people. I’m delighted that they have got a takeover sorted and there is real optimism about the place and hopefully they can have a successful season.”

The Gills won their friendly at Roots Hall thanks to two goals from Jack Nolan and one for Jayden Clarke.